Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Van Dam’s Vanga
Xenopirostris damii
Van Dam's Vanga (Xenopirostris damii) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Van Dam’s Vanga (Xenopirostris damii) is a member of the Vangidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 59.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Vangidae Vangas & Allies
- Genus Xenopirostris
- Species damii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 59.5 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Vangidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Endangered
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Van Dam’s Vanga is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Van Dam’s Vanga is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Van Dam’s Vanga (Xenopirostris damii) belongs to the Vangidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF nw, far ne Madagascar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 59.5 g, with a wing length of about 11.3 cm and a tail of around 8.5 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 6,067 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Van Dam’s Vanga?
The Van Dam’s Vanga is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 59.5 g.
Where does the Van Dam’s Vanga live?
The Van Dam’s Vanga is found across Africa with a range covering AF nw, far ne Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Van Dam’s Vanga belong to?
The Van Dam’s Vanga (Xenopirostris damii) belongs to the Vangidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Van Dam’s Vanga eat?
The Van Dam’s Vanga is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Van Dam’s Vanga migrate?
The Van Dam’s Vanga is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Van Dam’s Vanga endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Van Dam’s Vanga make?
1 real field recording of the Van Dam’s Vanga — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Van Dam’s Vanga's range?
The Van Dam’s Vanga has a mapped global range of about 6,067 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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